Middle East

Feb. 25, 2016 | 12:09 AM

Syrian army battles Daesh for third day near key road

Fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDS) sit atop an armored personnel carrier on the outskirts of the town of Shaddadi in the northeastern Syrian province of Hassakeh, on February 19, 2016. AFP / Delil souleiman

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The Syrian army and Daesh (ISIS) militants waged fierce battles Wednesday around Khanasser, a strategic town southeast of Aleppo, where an attack by the militant group has cut the main land route to the city during three days of fighting. A government military source denied reports Khanasser had fallen to Daesh. But he said its fighters were firing on it from nearby positions.

Daesh is escalating its assaults on government-held areas.

Russian airstrikes hit Daesh outposts near Khanasser while army artillery pounded them from government-held Safira, a rebel source said.